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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I had a ton of fun with CPS 109...I wanted to play with my new Maya Road chipboard trees {they are actually still on sale over at 2Peas} and just had to team it up with some fun Sassafras paper! The celadon crochet trim was a last minute add...I like how it adds more texture to the overall card.

Hope you're having a great week...remember that I still have a ton of stuff for sale. I'll be adding more in the next couple of weeks.

Monday, March 30, 2009

This is based on the Card Patterns Sketch #8. Did you see my Blog Candy Post? This is my 1 of 2 cards I'm sending Amy to support her card drive. I think it is a fabulous way to surprise the 90 & 100-year-old Birthday Girls!

I wanted to create a texture filled card so I used my fabulous felt thickers and Making Memories trim....nice and colorful to help celebrate a fabulous 90-year-old birthday!!

I hope that you can join me in this thoughtful card drive!! I'll share my other card on Wednesday!!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

I had a ton of fun putting together this card...Gotta love Basic Grey LilyKate. Am I the only one that still uses a coluzzle? One of these days I'll just have to break down and purchase some nesties. I distressed the edges and used my Janome. The butterflies are ala Martha and Marvy. The buttons, from my collection...I topped them off with some bling.

I am simply amazed and thrilled at all the people that are taking part in all of the 365 card challenges!!! You gals really are fabulous!!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Okay, let me just tell you that this is going to be a long post but it'll be worth reading it to the end..

I'm a lucky duck, I've been super fortunate in the blog candy arena the last couple months...well, it could be that I have over 500 blogs in my google reader but maybe not...Anywho's...I've been thinking of doing another blog candy and after I heard about some ladies that will be celebrating special birthday's this year, I thought that I could get some of my lovely blogging buddies to join in the fun.

Okay, I'll list the details of the blog candy contents in the end of this post, but here's the scoop'ola. I met a gal named Amy {Hi Amy!!} through blogging and she threw out a project she is working on:

Centurion Card Drive: For Bea - goal is 100 cards.

My girlfriend's grandma will be turning 100 years old this September 2009. Beatrice or Bea is what grandma goes by. One day she was telling my girlfriend (Karen) that, "I think I just might make it." When my girlfriend was telling me this, I had mixed feelings. On one hand it was kinda weird just the way grandma Bea put it. It seemed like she thought her end was near. But know that grandma Bea is healthy and going strong, which is why we think for sure she's going to make it. Not many of us live to be 100, so of course we wanted to do something special. I came up with the idea of a card drive, hoping to get 100 cards. Just think of the reaction she would have when she sees so many different cards from so many people all wishing her a 'Happy Big 100!' Big WOW factor. Karen's dad is writing to the Queen or I guess I should say her office. He found out that if any Canadian citizen turns the big 100, they get a letter/card signed by Queen Elizabeth herself. Another WOW factor. There's going to be a celebration for sure but we're thinking both these WOW factors will leave a lasting memory for grandma Bea. I will be collecting the cards from now till September and then package them all up for the big party. We decided on this so Karen's mailbox doesn't get bombarded with mail and so the card drive can stay hush hush. No one knows except Karen and I. It'll be a surprise for everyone. It'll be great.

BIG 90 Card Drive: For Mary - goal is 90 cards.

There's another special lady I visit quite regularly. Her name is Mary. She is turning 90 years old in November. Her daughter works a lot and has to take care of 2 young children, so she's not able to spend too much time with Mary. Mary's a quiet lady that keeps to herself most of the time. But she very much enjoys her tea time, which we often have as she shares some wisdom to me. I'm not sure if there's going to be a big celebration, I would sure hope there is some sort of celebration. I seldom see her daughter, but as the day draws nearer I'll find out more. Doing the card drive for Mary is my own little special surprise. She often enjoys the cards that I make as she goes over all the little details. My goal is to raise as many cards as her age, 90, but of course the more the merrier. I think it would really put a smile on her face to know that people care enough to say Happy Birthday to her.

--------------------------------Here's the thing, I don't have a grandma to spoil anymore. I miss mine dearly...we had the opportunity to have her live with us for several years when I was growing up. She passed away just about 8 weeks before my son was born..sigh. She loved my daughter to pieces...It's odd, if I'm in a Japanese grocery store and I happen to hear an 80'ish year old Japanese woman chatting in Japanese I tend to swing around because it always sounds like my grandma...

I know you all have a card or two laying around or maybe you just need an excuse to design a birthday card....I'd love to help Amy in her card drive.If you promise to send Amy 1 card, your name will go into the drawing for the blog candy...if you promise to send Amy 2 cards, I'll give you 2 chances to win the blog candy...if you spread the word on your blog about the card drive and my blog candy, I'll give you a total of 3 chances to win the blog candy!! How can you beat that??!! Here is Amy's email to contact her directly: doramiyi@gmail.com about the mailing deets.

This blog candy is open to the US and abroad and will stay open until Saturday, April 4th @ midnite Pacific time. Come on you crafty peeps...let's make a huge dent in the card drive!!! Are you wondering why I'm doing this? I believe in karma...what goes around comes around...it's nice to do something sweet for people...especially when I know that alot of us have tons of cards just waiting to go to someone...that special someone is Bea and Mary...

**winner will be posted on Monday, April 6th**

--please be sure to leave me your contact info in the event you win--

Good grief this has got to be my longest post yet!!! Whew, thanks for reading to the end...I hope you join me in the feel good card drive...I'll post my cards for the birthday girls this weekend :)

Friday, March 27, 2009

Today's card is based on Laura's sketch 22 over on 2 Sketches 4 You. I cut into some brand new American Crafts..stinkin' cute, huh?!! Here's a short story about that paper:

My Mom has me pegged...she compares me to my Uncle {her older brother} who is retired but was in banking all his life...very conservative when it comes to $$...here goes my translation of it: My Uncle will "need" 3 of something but he'll only buy 1....I'll "want" 3 of something and I'll buy 6...LOL. I'm trying to be better about it, really I am. Last week when I went into my local Ben Franklin craft store they had a whole bunch of new American Crafts Craft fair and backyard. I have 2 words for you: oy vey. My Mom would be so proud to hear that I only bought 3 sheets of paper...3 sheets...1 of 3 different designs...oh boy, I wanted to buy more...but I didn't, nope {deep breath}.

Those fun owls are cut from the American Crafts Craft Fair design called Lucy Hootski...isn't that fun?!!! Cracks me UP! They are sitting on a SU heart shaped chipboard that I daubbed white craft ink on...waited impatiently for it to dry then smeared Crystal Effects on it so that I could then pour dazzling diamonds on it. Everything is on glue dot pop dots...the chipboard heart is actually on double decker ones :)The buttons are my SEI after Christmas buy {sue-pah cheap!}..I've been really into making sentiment-less cards...

Remember to check back this weekend...I'll have some super blog candy up for grabs and you know what Sunday is....365 Cards Sketchy Sunday!!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Today's Challenge over at 365 Cards is to use the color you use the least and make it the dominant color in your card....okay, so if you checked my blog on Tuesday, you would have seen my daughter's birthday invites that used this same color. I was going to make a yellow card but came back to the Paper Source beet card because I really don't use the color purple very much. I do have to confess that this color is growing on me...they are still on sale at Paper Source and I bought the matching String and Button envies...that just 'makes' it...I teamed up the beet with black...what could be better than that? I added some felt thickers and k&co flat back pearls..they are super tiny and yes, I was fumbling around with them...cracks me up every time..I even dropped one {gasp!}....yes, you betcha, I looked for it until I found the little stinker. I wasn't going to waste that 'lil puppy...My daughter is going to her friends birthday party this weekend and this is going to be the birthday card...perfect for a 14 year old.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Life is Sweet...indeed it is...I'm pretty much lovin' life now and have 2 healthy kids, a job, a home and one fine man to call my own...what more could a gal want? This whole crafting and blogging world is just icing on the cake...and I love icing :)

This is sketch #7 over at Card Patterns. I follow the blogs of a couple of the gals on their Design Team....{Hi Gals!!} I wanted to give their sketch a try this week. I started off with a Stampin' Up Pink Passion base and layered up Amy Butler goodness. I was toying with the idea of painting the Maya Road oval scalloped chipboard but decided to leave it plain jane so that the Amy Butler Chipboard would *pop*! The butterfly is the Martha Stewart punch...I gotta buy the MS cupcake punch...where can I find that ladies?! Hmm....my rabom ribbon does really match the pink passion, it photog'd a bit wonky...

Well, my daughter and I spent a quiet dinner at home...at her request I made a gourmet dinner of mac 'n cheese with minced ham...lol...easy smeasy. After her brother came home from soccer, we lit the candles on a cookie dough icecream cake...a #9 and 5 regular candles...doesn't that add up to 14?!!! She had a magnificent birthday....what more could a momma want?

Aha....for those of you that follow the magnificent Moxie Fab World blog...I was a Stamp It! Week Comment Winner...woot woot! Now how stinkin' fun is that??!!! There was a total of 529 comments for that day and I was 1 of 5 winners...lucky duck, that's me....fun, fun, fun!

I feel some blog candy coming...I will post some goodies on Saturday with an extra raffle ticket opportunity...stay tuned!!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Okay, now how can anyone resist that happy smile :) This was my baby about 10 years ago...I hope to get a birthday shot of her tonight...

I used the Caardvarks sketch for her birthday party invites. I tell you, I seldom ever work with purple {Paper Source's Beet} but since it is one of my daughter's current fav colors, what can I say, it's all about the birthday girl!

That DCWV floral paper is flocked...yup, it's pretty wonderful in person :) The square scallop with the word Fabulous is ala Pink Paislee which sits on a 'glue dot pop dot' on top of a prima flower. Did you notice the sentiment on the bottom {which is from the same Pink Paislee set}, "Be True to Yourself, Always"....gotta love that, for the young AND the old at heart.

Happy Birthday Honey!!!

P.S. This was a fabulous birthday giftfor her...at least I'm thinking it was :)

Monday, March 23, 2009

The last time I designed a card with Ambrosia, it had my daughter say, "Wow"....that's a big deal from a 13 year old. Well, she'll be 14 tomorrow and I knew that I wanted to create a birthday card with Ambrosia, just for her.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

It is Sketchy Sunday over at 365 Cards...day 22! I can't believe it has been over 3 weeks...what a wonderful journey this has been for me. I tell you, there is soooooo much creativity out there, I can't stand it!

The dp I used on this card is from a My Minds Eye paper kit called Out & About. Aren't the patterns most fabulous?!!I love Pam's sketch...I adore long & low cards but they are a pill to photog. One of the kids called my photog area my photography studio...yup, that would be in my bedroom on my nightstand...a permanent structure...12x12 papers and my little ikea lamp...lol. With the assistance of the Windows Live Photo Gallery I'm able to tweek things a little here and there and there you go, my ancient family recipe...sssshhhh...don't tell anyone.lol

This week is a big one in my household...someone would be celebrating her birthday on Tuesday...the big 1-4. My baby is celebrating her birthday...I know that everyone says this but time really does fly by. She is a tall drink of water...like 5'6'ish...waaaaayyyyy taller than her Momma...that's a good thing :) I'm working on her birthday invites today. I showed her the supplies and she loved them, that's big, a true compliment...no pressure, at least not too much...

What a fabuloussketch #22 by Kazan from 2 Sketches for You. I really love their challenge this week...they have teamed up with Sakura to celebrate Youth Art Month. Last night, my kids & I were creating like crazy and well, getting in each others way...LOL...nahh...It was funny, I told the kids that they could follow the sketch or wing it. The first card is by my boy "z" {age 11} who decided to wing it. What's that I see...thickers? Wow...yup, I told them they could pick out anything and the boy heads straight to the thickers...he asked if he could use them and obviously my facial expression changed because then he said he didn't have to use them {yeah, yeah, yeah...I tend to hoard the thickers}. I laughed and told him that he could use them {that means that I can easily replace them with other thickers!}... You might not be able to tell but there is a guitar cut out and placed on dimensionals...it is to the left of the "r". He was concerned that it was too plain...I have 3 words for him: clean and simple!The next card is by my daughter "r" (age 13...14 in a couple days!!)...she dug through a ton of my papers and decided on a sheet of K&co....it has a lace pattern in it {part of my vintage collection..lol}...and a pop of lavender...it is a Stampin' Up color, maybe Pale Plum? Okay, I kid you not...my girl picked out that Tim Holtz Chandelier image all by herself...how perfect is that?! She added the black bling too...no man hands for her...see yesterday's post...lol.

Last but not least, here is my card. I used Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip, Speckletone Kraft and Melissa Frances Damask paper called Brian. The buttons are from my vintage collection.

There you have it...a family that crafts together...has fun together while making their Momma's area a mess...oh, that's right it was already a pre-existing condition! lol

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Do you know what Thursday means? It is my challenge day over on the 365 Cards blog!! What do we have for you today? Well, we would love to see a Birthday card with no sentiment!!! What could you use? I used a birthday cake...now that's a slam dunk...but you could use candles...balloons...anything that is related to birthday goodness!

I always have fun with this Large Whimsical Outline Cake image by Savvy Stamps. It just screams to be paper pieced. I used the Basic Grey Cupcake line...such super fun patterns. I "had" to add some bling so I used the ultra-sweet heart shape twinkle stickers from A Muse...those puppies are tiny...I use my paper snips to line them up...it is not like I have "man hands" {ala Seinfield} but I seem to get clutzy when I use small embellies...maybe too much coffee? LOL

Show me what you got peeps! I cannot wait to see your most lovely creations!!!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

As I told Renae of Two Scoops Designs, I'm getting pretty predictable with her images...they just scream to be teamed up with Sassafras papers...Check out her SWEET mushies...sooooo FUN! This card is based on Jen's SFYTT .

Here's a smidge of enabling...check out the Maya Road saleover on Two Peas...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patty's Day....okay, obviously I don't have a smidge of Irish in me but, I had to make this card for a special someone. This is chock full of Hambly goodness...throw in some felt thickers and the fab Stampin' Up Top Note die! This particular piece of Hambly is metallic paper...gorgeous sheen...I might be teaming this card up with a bar of this. Nothing says "Happy St. Patty's Day" than chocolate...and a custom made card :)

The Hambly panel is actually on Pop up glue dots...found a box in my drawer the other day and whew, they rock...much better than the foam dimensionals that I was using....

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Welcome back to my blog for the 365 CardsSketchy Sunday!!! This is just screaming to be an Easter card...madras plaid...gotta love it. You can't really tell but the plaid panel is actually on dimensionals for a little "oomph". This would be my bargain basement card...lol...the MME papers are a Peachy Cheap buy, the buttons are SEI 40% off after Christmas sale and the gingham ribbon is from Michaels Halloween 50% off...Please visit the 365 Cards blogto see the other DT's cards...they really are quite spectacular!!

Seems that I was able to enable some of you peeps in buying your own personalized stamps and maybe even a couple of the Making Memories Desktop Carousels..lol...what's a blogging friend for?? Be sure to post your personalized stamps, I'd love to see what you picked!!!

I've posted my initial stamp purge of Stampin' Up...whew...a ton of sets that are highly neglected...My goal is to post a bunch of other things that need new homes...I'm on a huge organizational kick...

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog....I do appreciate your fabulous comments :) Be sure to stop by tomorrow to check out my 365 Cards Sketchy Sunday card!!!

It's that time of year....spring cleaning....I have the following items for sale. Paypal {non-credit card} only. USPS Priority Mail shipping is not included in the price. All items come from a smoke-free home.

Oh boy, I had fun with Laura's sketch 21 on 2 Sketches 4 You. Since they teamed up with Starving Artistamps, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to ink up my Doodlefactory large cupcake!! Well, I inked and paper pieced it..I couldn't resist using the FUN papers I picked up after Christmas from SEI {40% off...thanks Elaine!}. Isn't the A Muse "hey cupcake" sentiment adorable?

Check out the new Basic Grey Aviary clear stamp set...from their Porcelain line...

The most fabulous Susan of One4Joy sent this to me...She knew that I was on the look out for these gorgeous images and sent the set to 'lil 'ole me....what a magnificent friend!!!

♥♥♥♥Thank you Susan...you are thee best :)

I'm realizing that I've been stepping away from my vast collection of Stampin' Up stamps....I gotta do some serious spring cleaning to make room and make $$....lol.

Any big plans for the weekend? I gotta work but I'm also making time for other fun things. I do a majority of my card making on the weekends. I work full-time and on the weekdays I have a 2+ hour commute {roundtrip} so it leaves me enough time to feed the kids, squeeze out a card and some time blurfing. I've managed to go back to 7 days of blogging...so far I've been able to manage it :) The constant juggling of responsibilities is quite the delicate balance..lol. Have a super creative fun-filled weekend! I'll be back tomorrow :)

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Make a "we're moving", or "good luck with your move" card - try to incorporate a house scene, car or moving truck.

I knew that I wanted to paper piece the fabulous Memory box Cozy Chair. I just love the tea cup, it just screams...comfy. I added a smidge of glitter on the steam and used the Memory Box Aerial papers which were a fabulous RAK from Tracy of whoistracy? . I also used Memento Rich Cocoa ink, M's $ ribbon & A Muse sentiment...all nestled on a 5x5 Fabriano card...sigh...gotta ♥♥♥ Fabriano's...I

So, head over to link your card to today's challenge...I can't wait to see all of your most fabulous creations!!!!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

March 11th...a special day...it is d's birthday!!! I have to admit making masculine cards is something that I really have to work hard at...I tend to gravitate to girlie colors and embellies. Wouldn't you say that blue and grey are masculine? The papers are from one of my favs right now, Amy Butler's Lotus line. I've been hoarding the Making Memories metal tiles for awhile...

'd' wanted to share his "card wall"...isn't that♥sweet♥?This is in his home office...makes me smile whenever I see it :)

Just a smidge of enabling...did you check out my new enabling button ---->

Crop Chocolate, it's a something that I picked up from my making memories newsletter. Oy vey...yesterday they had the Making Memories Embellishment Center for only $44.99....tempting...soooo tempting but I didn't hit the "buy" button :)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Clean and Simple...that's what I tend to fall back when I'm not working on a sketch challenge. I used a blue Arturo card....went in with a friend I made via SCS named Pam {hi Pam!} and bought 3 different Arturo colors... I tried to find out more deets about Arturo but couldn't find their actual website. Let me just say that their cards are magnificent...like Fabriano's...the colors are absolutely delish.

The other day when I hit the Paper Zone's fill a bag and get 20% off, I picked up the new Making Memories Looking Glass Stickers....soooo sweet! I teamed it up with an A Muse sentiment...easy smeasy!

Remember to check out the 365 Cardchallenges...you gals are rockin' those challenges...so much talent out there I can't stand it! Keep posting all those beauties!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Okay, those of you that follow my blog know that I seriously dig Sassafras Lass...love their fun and funky stuff. I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything new from Sassafras until I used most of what I still have...that's all good since I still love what I have...I could never tire of sassy stuff. Okay, my card...it's a "3 fer 1". I was able to complete 3 challenges in 1 card..that's HUGE for me:

Sunday, March 8, 2009

This is for the 365 CardsSketchy Sketch #2...You'll want to pop over to the 365 Cardsblog to see the sketch AND our super fabulous guest sketch designer...

My card base is Stampin' Up Old Olive...the designer paper is from my DT kit from Pam and is Making Memories {note}worthy. I've been on a big thickers kick...dontcha just love the green felt? The round cork is ala J's $ spot...the ribbon is May Arts and the buttons are from my stash.

Do you remember this personalized stamp that I bought back in December? Well, it seems that Expressionery.com is having another 40% off sale..thought I'd pass it along to you, just in case...here's the fine print:

*Limited Time Offer. Receive 40% off Expressionery products when you enter offer code "HOME4" in the offer code box at checkout. The 40% off discount is for Expressionery products only, and cannot be used on shipping, handling or sales tax. Shipping and handling fees are separate. Click the "Shop Now" link above for a full listing of the products available under this promotion. This discount is not available on Gift Enclosures, Gift Packaging, the Pink Ribbon Stamp or the PSA Pink Pack. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion, sales or discounts. This offer has no cash value and is not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited. Prices, specifications, and availability subject to change without notice. Expressionery by Checks In The Mail reserves the right to limit quantities or refuse orders.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Fruit Salad...isn't that what Ambrosia is? I haven't had the stuff, looks odd...but I ♥LOVE♥ Basic Grey's Ambrosia... this card is based on Kazan's sketch #21 over on 2 Sketches 4 You. The flower, button and black velvet ribbon are from my stash...